Pier 33 — Attraction in San Francisco

You know I've never been to Alcatraz I've lived in San Francisco all my life I grew up as a kid in San Francisco it's close as I would get to alcatraz's when me and my mother when I was a kid would go down to the pier down at the end of Van Ness and we'd fish and we look across and see a big ship passing by every now and then you'd see a small vessel on the side of the period it took people from this side to that side I guess to visit somebody that was over there in San Quentin and another side was very very least Square and I used to watch this old guy swimming mainly in the morning time but everyday without a doubt I'd see him and then when he would climb up on the other side on the beach I noticed one of his legs was missing down at the bottom well to come to find out a shark had attacked him because he was a swimmer but even though he was missing that one limb he still could swim then I found out later on he was part of something that was called the dolphin Club swimmers old school and I was just a youngster observing all of this yes growing up in San Francisco is a beautiful thing especially when you grow up in a good part well you say all of it is good well that be nice to say but there is good bad and ugly everywhere so that's just part of the world no doubt about it San Francisco's no different but it's a beautiful city right now and I still enjoy it I don't live too far from the good part of it I didn't want to move too far because when my mother was alive I always wanted to be somewhere where I could get to her in a matter of minutes and I could drive no doubt about it so 9 miles from San Francisco is where I live yes 15 minutes or better I can be in San Francisco the speed limit is a little bit different now at that time it was 65 straight out boom but now it's a little different you have to abide by the speed laws I mean that's what you're supposed to do not everybody does it but that's the way it is no doubt about it so that's what I'm talking about Alcatraz I finally made it took the little Cruise with my nephew and his girlfriend they wanted to go and check it out and even though I'm a stroke survivor three times no doubt about that I said I'll go yes I'll go with you so they had a good time and so did I and there it is I finally accomplished one of my dreams I made it to Alcatraz to see what it was all about and that's what I'm talking about and you heard it from me the three times Strokes Survivor the person that still walks by faith no doubt about that call me Mr raw one that is my first initial my middle initial and my last initial to my last name and I am the only child so therefore I believe that makes me Mr raw one it's on my license plate they thought I was advertising some kind of sex thing or something when they saw it at the DMV but when I told them I've had these license plates ever since the personalized license plates came in existence in 1972 they looked it up they said well I so there it is folks and this is what I'm saying and this is based on a true story no doubt about that so I'm going to back out right now and like I always say when I sign off on anything I'm back quiet and that's what I'm talking about Mr wrong one adios and...

Pier 33 is the cruise terminal for Alcatraz tours. They have a good system in place for folks with mobility issues giving them priority boarding and a place to sit while waiting. We did not buy tickets online as they are time specific and we were coming from a hotel about 50 miles from Fisherman's Wharf and had no clue how long it would take us to drive their in busy traffic (apparently rush hour in San Francisco last from 5 am to 8 pm, because that is how long the HOV (3+ people) restrictions are in effect plus no clue about parking situation. Read online there was limited HP spaces on site, first come, first served. Didn't see a single one... found a parking lot right across the street, but $40 for the day. There were less than 5 spots available, so good luck during tourist season, LOL (we were there April 25). Had no problem buying tickets on site, but if you are a senior citizen, be sure to ask for your discount, otherwise you will be charged regular adult price! After purchasing our ticket, we got on the very next departing ferry only waiting for about 15 minutes, on the return we got to the ferry as they were boarding an no problem getting on. They seem to run every 30-45 minutes depending on time of day, but frequency changes depending on time of year. Everything was really smooth and folks working different areas as well as ferry crew were super friendly. Keep in mind that during the summer months (tourist season) things might not be as smooth and...

I never thought I would enjoy prison. However, this historical tour changed my view. This tour began with a short ferry ride to the island where Alcatraz was built. The tickets are about 47 dollars or about 58 dollars if you choose to add a bottle of water and pretzel as part of your tour package. The view of the prison and the coast line of. San Francisco are breathtaking from the ferry. Once you arrive, you will be greeted by a ranger directing you to the area prison area. After retrieving your audio set, for guided audio tour, you preceded through the halls of prison, learning about the daily routines of infamous person, such as Bumpy Johnson and scar face, and tells of those who attrmpted escape from the rock. One cannot help but realized that on the rock freedom is fleeting. The tour leads you through different cell blocks, and then cell block D, where one finds that the confinement in solitary confinement was mental torment. The tour was eye opening. The grounds are well kept and beautiful. You cannot help but notice that what was at one time Indian land is beginning to be restored. I recommend this 3 hour tour (In my Gilian Island voice). Parking will cost you. I paid about 40 dollars to park in parking lots across the street. This was for the entire day. There is a parking garage for about 10 dollars less, but if you are lucky you can find free parking on the street. However, there will be a little walk to the pier. I recommend...